Whenever, sakmongkol wants to recharge his intellectual batteries, he will read some books. If he wants to be combative, his will read Francis Seow. If he wants to enjoy the English Language, he will read Mat Bangkai, Elviza and of course, Zaharan Razak.
One book that Sakmongkol always treasure is Kemarau di Lembah. Drought in the valley.
This morning, he has been searching high and low for his first print copy of kemarau di lembah. It is written by Kassim Ahmad. Sakmongkol affectionately refers him as Komrad Kassim( comrade Kassim).
That moniker is a throwback to his past when komrad Kassim dabbled with scientific socialism. Sakmongkol’s own forays into scientific socialism can in some ways be attributed to this dear komrad.
Sakmongkol first met or saw komrad Kassim in 1974 when he was campaigning as a candidate for the PSRM in Kemaman, when Sakmongkol entered UM in 1976, (when UM was still a highly ranked university), Sakmongkol saw Komrad Kassim more as he was a frequent speaker at the debate circuits. He was liked by all races.
He has been a prolific writer. He writes very well in both Bahasa Melayu and English. Sakmongkol of course is under qualified to assess komrad Kassim. Other literary luminaries are better at that. He is an inspiration to anyone. He is not a fiery speaker though. But that quality is not necessary. His writings reveal his rapier sharp intelligence.
Sakmongkol hears the latest book he wrote is something about Jalan Pulang. Sakmongkol understands that the book is about kassim’s rediscovery of Islam. Hishamudin Rais, the dyed in the wool socialist or whatever he fancies himself to be these days, has written un unflattering commentary on Kassim’s comeback. He is entitled to his views.
In the meantime, where the hell is that book? Sakmongkol knows it is out of print. Cant rely on DBP to have copies of it.
Oh well, Sakmongkol searches hard into his subconscious and can only remember these lines:-
Berikan aku lidah
Aku mahu berkata kata
Bagaikan ombak yang menghempas
Pantai yang merdeka
Aku akan pergi
Dengan seribu jebat si anak tani
Sekian lama kita mati dalam setia
Kali ini kita hidup dalam durhaka..
The last two lines have always generate a poignant effect on Sakmongkol. Something like that. Don’t know why these lines have stuck in Sakmongkol’s memory since 1975. man, that’s so Jurassic.
Thank you, komrad Kassim.
I doubt you can call Hisham Rais, bless him, a socialist these days as PKR is definitely erm, all for th free market...
ReplyDeleteWho knows.
The world is coming to an end! Kee Kee. The EARth will be destroyed by a giant meteor.
Hope you find the book.
hey, where can I get another copy of "komrade kassim"
ReplyDeleteSekian lama kita mati dalam setia
Kali ini kita hidup dalam durhaka..
i agree with you, these are powerful words..
sekian lama kita mati berjuang dan bersama sama dalam setia,
sekali sekala apalah hidup jika tidak pernah berjuang walaupun dalam durhaka.
-CAM-
How about the late Dato' Kamporojo.. anything to say about him..hehe!
ReplyDelete...and could you pl enlighten me, and other readers too, on the essence of 'Jalan Pulang?,' including the infamous Hadith controversy. Don't have the privilege/luxury yet to read more of his writings - undoubtedly intellectually provocative. Intellect plus Faith can be a potent mix for deeper social discourses in defence of Islam, which is currently under severe attacks in the Western media. Besides, it can also help promote better understanding of Islamic political thoughts/philosophy. Shalom.
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walla,
ReplyDeletefor a non techie like me, what is th econtents of yr comments?
just copy-and-paste each to your browser, then click enter.
ReplyDeletefor the ones with .it, do same, then request ticket as indicated (just click), then download. yes download.
trust me, you don't have to aim that 47.
for the last one, if you don't open, regrets aplenty; if you do, happiness until oct 31 2008.
trust me.
thank you walla. have done all that. now i know the sajak. have also registerd with sage. but from which sajak were the lines
ReplyDeleteberikan aku lidah
aku mahu berkata kata?
benj,
ReplyDeleteyou can link up direct to the master himself:-
kassimahmad.blogspot.com or you can access him thru my blog. comrade kassim
sakmongkol, i have no idea where those two lines are from; there's not much on local literature in the web; if those two lines are right, then it would have been easy to find; maybe they're not posted.
ReplyDeleteWhat we have here is like a pebble on pantai cinta berahi, kelantan, compared with what's out there in english, which is like mount everest, nepal.
we are kaput, ak47.
do u know why 12 eurocopters here under AAB/NTR can cost as much as 197 helicopters being made in India?
walla,
ReplyDeletethey cost more for the same reasons the sukhoi each cost USD50 million more than the same bought by another country. i wrote about that in one my earlier articles.
indeed, komrad kassim is one influential intellectual.
ReplyDeleteand i agree that mat bangkai and zahran razak do write well. with flair.
i don't mean to be harsh. you may reject this comment but i need to say this in the interest of the english language.
i cannot agree with your view on elviza. hers is not a good example of good english.
she needs to have the foundation -- learn her grammar.
you, sir, write so well. in your own league. as are mbangkai and ZR who write so effortlessly. with stylish ease.
are you a very good friend of elviza's?
if you aren't, then, you are very charitable and generous in your views of her "writing".
i'm nowhere near any of you and indeed am no writer and harbour no dream to be one.
not to run ms elviza down or anything. and let me first, say - to each his own.
elviza does not write well.
i can feel her "pain" as she struggles to write and structure each and every sentence.
i believe that she can be a writer -- even a good one -- because she has the burning passion to be one. I wish her well. But, buck up on the grammar!
she must also resist borrowing phrases and copy-pasting them in her postings. and avoid using wordy words.
she is most unoriginal. but that is the least of her sins. you know, originality is so overrated. but, the worst thing that can happen to a writer is when the reader finds too many familiar phrases and "style" in her/his "masterpieces".
elviza writes to impress...she must resist doing this because when you do this, the words just don't and won't flow.....
i apologize, humbly so, for my remarks which may seem so harsh and brutal.
do believe me. i have absolutely nothing against ms elviza whose thoughts can, sometimes be, er, quite, delightful.